Martyn Pepperell talks to Raiza Biza

Having seen and experienced a lot over the last four months, when Hamilton/Auckland based Rwandan rapper Raiza Biza recently sat down with his producer Grafics, of Crime Heat Beats, he wanted to create a song that felt like a diary entry. "'They Told Me' is a sort of reflection of some of the feelings, thoughts and ideas that have started developing during my journey," he says.

Making use of his abilities as both a rapper and a singer, Raiza Biza lyrically paints a pictorial set of vignettes. Beginning with his recent experiences, he lets his mind's eye drift back seven years, also reflecting on days spent in Wellington. Alongside Raiza Biza's vividly impressionistic recollections, Grafics orchestrates a formalist ‘90s hip-hop backdrop underpinned by toned dusty keyboard parts, gritty tambourine, heavy drum loops and rolling bass notes.

Following on from his critically loved Dream Something album, 'They Told Me' is the first piece from the as of yet unnamed project Raiza Biza will be releasing in February. "I'm working with producers from the Young, Gifted and Broke stable as well as a few unheard young locals," he says. "The project is inspired by New Zealand's summer and all that comes with it."